[[File:Harrenhal bath by cabepfir.jpg|thumb|300px|Brienne: [[Jaime Lannister]] in the bath half a corpse and half a god. Art by Cabepfir]]

[[File:Harrenhal bath by cabepfir.jpg|thumb|300px|Brienne: [[Jaime Lannister]] in the bath half a corpse and half a god. Art by Cabepfir]]

−

At [[Riverrun]], after receiving news that her sons [[Bran]] and [[Rickon]] were killed, Catelyn decided to free [[Jaime Lannister]], making Brienne escort him on his way to King’s Landing to fulfill the promise made by the Hand, [[Tyrion Lannister]], to return her daughters [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]] if the Kingslayer were freed.{{Ref|aSoS|2}} Brienne defended Jaime ably, and learned much of his history that is little known to Westeros at large and the two developed a grudging respect for each other. They made for the city by boat and threw off pursuit from Riverrun when Brienne scaled a cliff and rolled boulders onto Ser [[Robin Ryger]]'s pursuing galley{{Ref|aSoS|1}} and continued by land{{Ref|aSoS|11}}. After an ambush by outlaws killed their companion, Jaime's cousin [[Cleos Frey]], Jaime tried to escape, dueling Brienne. Manacled and out of practice, Jaime couldn't manage to beat Brienne, who was holding his head underwater when they were captured by the [[Brave Companions]].{{Ref|aSoS|21}} The unscrupulous sellswords chop off Jaime's sword hand, which swings against Brienne's breasts as it hangs from the Kingslayer's neck and the two are made to ride face-to-face on the same mount. His fighting ability truly gone, Jaime despaired for his life, but Brienne convinced him to live for revenge. In turn, Jaime prevented [[Zollo]], [[Rorge]] and [[Shagwell]], three of the Companions, from raping Brienne. At [[Harrenhal]], the two shared a bath and several tales. Lord [[Roose Bolton]] sent Jaime on his way, but kept Brienne as [[Vargo Hoat]]'s prize. Jaime, however, soon returned and rescued her.

+

At [[Riverrun]], after receiving news that her sons [[Bran]] and [[Rickon]] were killed, Catelyn decided to free [[Jaime Lannister]], making Brienne escort him on his way to King’s Landing to fulfill the promise made by the Hand, [[Tyrion Lannister]], to return her daughters [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]] if the Kingslayer were freed.{{Ref|aSoS|2}} Brienne defended Jaime ably, and learned much of his history that is little known to Westeros at large and the two developed a grudging respect for each other. They made for the city by boat and threw off pursuit from Riverrun when Brienne scaled a cliff and rolled boulders onto Ser [[Robin Ryger]]'s pursuing galley{{Ref|aSoS|1}} and continued by land{{Ref|aSoS|11}}. After an ambush by outlaws killed their companion, Jaime's cousin [[Cleos Frey]], Jaime tried to escape, dueling Brienne. Manacled and out of practice, Jaime couldn't manage to beat Brienne, who was holding his head underwater when they were captured by the [[Brave Companions]].{{Ref|aSoS|21}} The unscrupulous sellswords chop off Jaime's sword hand, which swings against Brienne's breasts as it hangs from the Kingslayer's neck and the two are made to ride face-to-face on the same mount. His fighting ability truly gone, Jaime despaired for his life, but Brienne convinced him to live for revenge. In turn, Jaime prevented [[Zollo]], [[Rorge]] and [[Shagwell]], three of the Companions, from raping Brienne. At [[Harrenhal]], the two shared a bath and several tales including [[The Wildfire Plot]] which Jaime revealed to Brienne. Lord [[Roose Bolton]] sent Jaime on his way, but kept Brienne as [[Vargo Hoat]]'s prize. Jaime, however, soon returned and rescued her.

−

After their arrival in the capitol, the pair were confronted by [[Loras Tyrell]], who still believed Brienne guilty of Renly's regicide. Jaime had Brienne arrested for her own protection, and arranged for Loras to speak to her; this finally dispelled Brienne's blame. After Catelyn's death at the [[Red Wedding]], Jaime entrusted Brienne with the [[Valyrian steel]] longsword given to him by his father [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], naming it [[Oathkeeper]]. He sends her out to seek the vanished [[Sansa Stark]], to fulfill his promise to Lady Catelyn. As Oathkeeper was forged from the metal of [[Ned Stark]]'s greatsword [[Ice]], Brienne's is using Stark steel to rescue the Stark girl. Along with this, Jaime gives her two bags full of coin, a mail hauberk, a [[House Lothston|Lothston]] shield, and a letter signed by King [[Tommen]] saying that she is on a royal mission.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}

+

After their arrival in the capitol, the pair were confronted by [[Loras Tyrell]], who still believed Brienne guilty of Renly's regicide. Jaime had Brienne arrested for her own protection, and arranged for Loras to speak to her; this finally dispelled Brienne's blame. After Catelyn's death at the [[Red Wedding]], Jaime entrusted Brienne with the [[Valyrian steel]] longsword given to him by his father [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], naming it [[Oathkeeper]]. He sends her out to seek the vanished [[Sansa Stark]], to fulfill his promise to Lady Catelyn. As Oathkeeper was forged from the metal of [[Ned Stark]]'s greatsword [[Ice]], Brienne's is using Stark steel to rescue the Stark girl. Along with this, Jaime gives her two bags full of coin, a mail hauberk, a [[House Lothston|Lothston]] shield, and a letter signed by King [[Tommen]] saying that she is on a royal mission.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}

Character and Appearance

Brienne is simple, loyal, and determined, but also headstrong and judgmental. She is immensely skilled at combat. She has an awkward personality, but is also honest and stubborn. She holds a naïvely idealized notion of knighthood, despite the insults she receives from many knights, who call her "Brienne the Beauty" to mock her ugliness and lack of traditional girlish pastimes and clothing. She yearns for respect, acceptance and a chance to prove her valor in a worthy cause. She loves Renly for his chivalry and treatment towards her, grateful for his acceptance of her into his Rainbow Guard.

Brienne has large, blue eyes, straw-colored hair; broad, coarse features; Her teeth are prominent and crooked, her mouth is too wide, her lips are swollen, her nose is battered and has been broken more than once, and her face is covered in freckles. She is tall, muscular and ungainly, thick for a woman by Westerosi standards.[1] Brienne is considered ugly, due to her height and build, though Jaime Lannister notices that her large blue eyes are pretty and they show her confidence in battle.

When asked about her height Martin commented:

Brienne is well over six feet tall, but not close to seven, no. Just off the top of my head, I would say Brienne is taller than Renly and Jaime and significantly heavier than either, but nowhere near the size of Gregor Clegane, who is the true giant in the series. Shorter than Hodor and the Greatjon, maybe a bit shorter than the Hound, maybe roughly the same height as Robert.[2]

File:Harrenhal bath by cabepfir.jpg

History

Brienne was born the eldest daughter of Lord Selwyn Tarth, lord of Evenfall Hall, on the island of Tarth. Her mother died when she was so young that she doesn't remember her.[3] She had a single older brother, Galladon, who drowned when she was eight, and two younger sisters, both of whom died in the cradle. This makes her the only offspring of Lord Selwyn, a fact that naturally encouraged him to find a suitable match for her. Given her ugly and ungainly appearance and attitude, however, the task was a difficult one, especially since Brienne was bent on a martial life rather than a marital one, more comfortable with a sword than in the company of court society. She was tutored by a master-at-arms named Ser Goodwin.

Her father successfully found three men willing to betroth her, for her father's wealthy lands, though the first two fell through.[1] The last, Ser Humfrey Wagstaff, warned her he would insist she act womanly once they were wed. Though only sixteen, Brienne replied she would only accept such a demand from a man who could beat her in combat. In the effort, Ser Humfrey ended up with three broken bones and a broken betrothal. After that, Lord Selwyn stopped trying to arrange a marriage for her.[4] Brienne's only positive encounter with a man occurred when the Tarths' liege lord, Renly Baratheon, visited their island during his coming of age tour. He crossed paths with Brienne and treated her courteously, so she fell in love with him.[1] Some time later, Lord Selwyn sent her to Storm's End. [5]

A Clash of Kings

When Renly Baratheon declared himself king at Highgarden, Brienne joined him in his march to King's Landing. In Renly's camp, Brienne is continuously mocked. Some of the young knights wager on who will be the first to get her maidenhead, until Lord Randyll Tarly puts an end to it, warning Brienne that her very presence is the cause of the problem.[6] Later in the march, Brienne proved her mettle with a morningstar in a great melee of 116 knights at Bitterbridge, defeating the Knight of Flowers as well as many of her mocking suitors. She asked to join the Rainbow Guard as her prize, becoming Brienne the Blue. She sharply reminded Catelyn Stark of the courtesy due a king, and was later dismayed when Renly denied the need for an escort for a stroll after the night's feast.[7]

At Renly's parley with his brother Stannis at the Siege of Storm's End (299), Brienne was his standard-bearer. After the negotiations failed, she was assigned to do the same in the upcoming clash, riding in the van alongside Loras Tyrell.[8] The next day at dawn, she was arming the king for battle against his brother when a shadow entered his tent and killed him. She was accused of the murder, but Catelyn Stark was able to convince those present that she was innocent and took Brienne with her when she fled the camp.[9] When they arrived at Riverrun, Brienne wanted to leave to take revenge on Stannis for Renly's death, but Catelyn convinced Brienne to enter her service instead.[10] Brienne is present when Lady Stark speaks with the Kingslayer in his cell, and grants Catelyn her sword when it is asked for.[11]

A Storm of Swords

Brienne: Jaime Lannister in the bath half a corpse and half a god. Art by Cabepfir

At Riverrun, after receiving news that her sons Bran and Rickon were killed, Catelyn decided to free Jaime Lannister, making Brienne escort him on his way to King’s Landing to fulfill the promise made by the Hand, Tyrion Lannister, to return her daughters Sansa and Arya if the Kingslayer were freed.[12] Brienne defended Jaime ably, and learned much of his history that is little known to Westeros at large and the two developed a grudging respect for each other. They made for the city by boat and threw off pursuit from Riverrun when Brienne scaled a cliff and rolled boulders onto Ser Robin Ryger's pursuing galley[13] and continued by land[14]. After an ambush by outlaws killed their companion, Jaime's cousin Cleos Frey, Jaime tried to escape, dueling Brienne. Manacled and out of practice, Jaime couldn't manage to beat Brienne, who was holding his head underwater when they were captured by the Brave Companions.[15] The unscrupulous sellswords chop off Jaime's sword hand, which swings against Brienne's breasts as it hangs from the Kingslayer's neck and the two are made to ride face-to-face on the same mount. His fighting ability truly gone, Jaime despaired for his life, but Brienne convinced him to live for revenge. In turn, Jaime prevented Zollo, Rorge and Shagwell, three of the Companions, from raping Brienne. At Harrenhal, the two shared a bath and several tales including The Wildfire Plot which Jaime revealed to Brienne. Lord Roose Bolton sent Jaime on his way, but kept Brienne as Vargo Hoat's prize. Jaime, however, soon returned and rescued her.

After their arrival in the capitol, the pair were confronted by Loras Tyrell, who still believed Brienne guilty of Renly's regicide. Jaime had Brienne arrested for her own protection, and arranged for Loras to speak to her; this finally dispelled Brienne's blame. After Catelyn's death at the Red Wedding, Jaime entrusted Brienne with the Valyrian steel longsword given to him by his father Tywin, naming it Oathkeeper. He sends her out to seek the vanished Sansa Stark, to fulfill his promise to Lady Catelyn. As Oathkeeper was forged from the metal of Ned Stark's greatsword Ice, Brienne's is using Stark steel to rescue the Stark girl. Along with this, Jaime gives her two bags full of coin, a mail hauberk, a Lothston shield, and a letter signed by King Tommen saying that she is on a royal mission.[16]

A Feast for Crows

Brienne begins her search at Duskendale, where she allows Podrick Payne, the squire of Lady Sansa's husband Tyrion Lannister, to join her quest. She also has her shield repainted to the arms of Ser Duncan the Tall. Her next stop is at Maidenpool, which she only enters with the unwanted aid of Ser Hyle Hunt, one of the knights who had mockingly courted her in Renly's camp. There she finds Lord Randyll Tarly dispensing justice; he begrudgingly allows her to continue her search. At a tavern she meets Nimble Dick Crabb, who leads her after "a fool" (whom she believes is Dontos Hollard, who might have Sansa with him). Traveling through Crackclaw Point, the trio arrive at the Whispers, the ruined hall of Nimble Dick's ancestors, encountering a band of Brave Companions remnants led by the fool, who is actually Shagwell, the psychotic jester. Shagwell kills Nimble Dick. Using Oathkeeper, Brienne manages to kill Pyg and Timeon, and forces Shagwell to dig a grave for Dick; she kills him as well when he turns on her. After the fight Hyle Hunt joins her party, having followed her from Maidenpool. [17]

Following the sellswords' information, Brienne heads back to the Riverlands to find Sandor Clegane, who was reported to be with a girl, unbeknownst to her to be the wrong daughter. At Maidenpool they join with Meribald, an itinerant septon, who accompanies them to Saltpans. From there she visits the nearby Quiet Isle, where the Elder Brother assures her that the Hound is dead. At a crossroads near the Trident, Brienne fights another group of Brave Companions led by Rorge, who has been masquerading as Sandor while raping and murdering in the Riverlands. Brienne kills Rorge, but is grievously wounded by Biter, who chews the flesh off her cheek.[18] After Gendry rescues her from Biter, he and the remaining members of the Brotherhood Without Banners take her captive. The undead Catelyn Stark, now leading the Brotherhood as "Lady Stoneheart", does not believe Brienne's tale of her search for Sansa and judges her to be a traitor who is serving the Lannisters. Brienne was given the choice of killing Jaime Lannister to prove her loyalty, or to hang. Brienne refuses to choose and is sentenced to hang. After seeing Podrick Payne hanging near her, she shouts a single unknown word as they are about to do the same to her[19]

A Dance with Dragons

Brienne appears briefly at Pennytree when Jaime camps there, whatever word she shouted apparently making the Brotherhood spare her. She asks Jaime to help her save Sansa Stark from the Hound, claiming they are a day's ride away. She tells Jaime, however, that he must go with her alone, or the Hound will kill Sansa.[20] The scenario she describes, however, seems unlikely to be real, as Sansa was last seen by readers in the Vale and the Hound is apparently dead.[19]